House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) today announced the creation of the Quality of Life Panel.
The Quality of Life Panel will focus on issues that impact U.S. service members and their families, including compensation, child care, housing, support programs for spouses of service members, and health care. The panel will provide a written report to the Military Personnel Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member, which will include recommended proposals for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
"Our servicemembers and their families make unimaginable sacrifices on behalf of our nation. I created the Quality of Life Panel to specifically focus on issues impacting the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families – there is absolutely no reason why any U.S. servicemember should have to worry about food or unsafe housing," Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) said. "I have no doubt that the hard work of this panel will lead to much-needed improvements across the Department of Defense to ensure that the needs of our servicemembers and their families are fulfilled."
"Service members and their families are at the heart of America's defense. Ensuring they get the resources, services, and recognition they need and deserve must be the utmost priority for us as Members of Congress. That work, under the jurisdiction of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, is among our most sacred as Members of the House Armed Services Committee both for the benefit of the service members and their loved ones, and so that we are able to recruit and retain the most qualified, talented, and diverse individuals," Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) said. "I look forward to the advancement of that critically important work by Quality of Life Panel Ranking Member Houlahan, Chairman Bacon, and all of the panelists."
"Our servicemembers and their families make great sacrifices for our nation and it is up to Congress to ensure we provide them with the quality of life they have earned and deserve. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel, I have fought to ensure our troops have the resources they need for success in their professional and personal lives," Military Personnel Subcommittee Chairman Jim Banks (R-IN) said. "I look forward to considering the recommendations from this panel in the FY25 NDAA to best serve our force and their families."
"I believe you can tell a lot about a country based on how they treat those who serve to defend it. We in Congress have a duty to do everything we can to give our service members and their families the support and care they deserve," Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Member Andy Kim (D-NJ) said. "Raising pay, improving TRICARE, addressing mental health, increasing access to childcare, expanding workforce development, and other efforts are needed. As the Ranking Member of the Military Personnel subcommittee, I'm glad we are standing up this Quality of Life Panel to ensure we are prioritizing people over hardware."
"I want to thank Chairman Rogers for the incredible opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Quality of Life panel which will aim to improve the quality of life for servicemembers and their families. As a veteran myself, this issue strikes home, and I know firsthand the struggles that servicemembers and their families face," Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said. "I look forward to serving with Ranking Member Houlahan and having open and honest discussions to make bipartisan progress to improve the quality of life for all American servicemembers."
"A strong national defense today, tomorrow, and for many years to come relies on a strong military. We cannot have a strong military if we don't continue to improve the lives and livelihoods of our servicemembers and their families," Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) said. "Doing so requires a comprehensive approach. As Ranking Member of the Quality of Life Panel, I join my colleagues and all Americans as we work to improve mental health care, child care, education, and more, in the Armed Forces. I know Representative Bacon is equally as passionate, and I want to thank him for his efforts organizing this important panel. I look forward to positive, bipartisan steps in the right direction for all of these issues."
Members Serving on the Quality of Life Panel:
Majority:
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Chairman
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA)
Rep. James Moylan (R-GU)
Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO)
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), ex officio
Minority:
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ranking Member
Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX)
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-WA)
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
Rep. Don Davis (D-NC)
Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), ex officio
